Point/Counterpoint: Do you support patent reform?

For more than five years, the U.S. Congress has tried to forge a compromise on how to update the U.S. patent system. What follows are views representing two sides in the debate.

SAN JOSE, Calif. For more than five years, the U.S. Congress has tried to forge a compromise on how to update the U.S. patent system. The latest effort announced March 4 has already drawn a mix of opposing views.

Below are views representing two sides in the debate. Speaking for the latest compromise is the head of the Coalition for 21st Century Patent Reform, a group of 50 mainly pharmaceutical companies that also includes General Electric, Motorola, SanDisk and Texas Instruments. On the opposing side author and former vice presidential candidate Pat Choate takes a position espoused by many small companies, and individual inventors.

Engineers need a broader voice in the debate over the patent system, given their role in developing new technology. So, we invite you to weigh in with your own views with a comment below.

With signs that the health care debate is about to come to a conclusion, advocates for patent reform are gearing up to drive their current compromise toward a vote, so it's a good time to educate yourself and let your views be heard. The full text of the latest compromise bill is available online.

"Backers of patent reform struck a compromise in February..."
Sure, one pirate compromises with another pirate as small entities walk the plank.
Patent reform is a fraud on America. It is patently un-American.
Please see http://truereform.piausa.org/ for a different/opposing view on patent reform.